Home Drug Guide Aprocitentan

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Aprocitentan

Brand Names Tryvio

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive

Pharmacological: Endothelin receptor antagonist

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of resistant hypertension

Mechanism of Action

Aprocitentan is an endothelin receptor antagonist that blocks the action of endothelin-1, a potent vasoconstrictor, leading to vasodilation and blood pressure reduction.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Initial dose: 12.5 mg once daily. Dose may be titrated up to 25 mg once daily based on response and tolerability.

Pediatric: Not established.

Geriatric: Use with caution; adjust dosage based on response and tolerability.

Renal Impairment: Adjustments not specified; monitor closely.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; limited data available.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Protein binding approximately 97%.

Metabolism: Primarily hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4.

Excretion: Primarily fecal excretion, minimal renal excretion.

Half Life: Approximately 20-25 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to aprocitentan or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment.
  • Monitor blood pressure regularly.
  • Assess for signs of hypotension.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Headache (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Peripheral edema (Common)
  • Fatigue (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hypotension (Serious)
  • Hepatotoxicity (Rare)
  • Angioedema (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin) may increase aprocitentan levels.
  • Other antihypertensives may have additive effects.

Drug-Food Interactions

  • No significant interactions reported.

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • Potential interactions with St. John's Wort and other CYP3A4 inducers.

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure regularly; assess for signs of hypotension and edema.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for hypotension.
  • Ineffective tissue perfusion.

Implementation: Administer once daily; adjust dose based on response and tolerability. Educate patients on orthostatic hypotension precautions.

Evaluation: Evaluate blood pressure response; monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Inform about potential side effects like dizziness and headache.
  • Rise slowly from sitting or lying position.
  • Report any signs of swelling, dizziness, or allergic reactions.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently issued.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic markers identified for response.

Lab Test Interference: None noted.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypotension, dizziness, fainting.

Treatment: Discontinue medication, provide supportive care, and monitor blood pressure. Consider vasopressor support if needed.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, 20-25°C (68-77°F).

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions for the duration of the expiration date.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.